Russia starts massive A/H1N1 flu inoculation

MOSCOW, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia launched a vaccination campaign against the A/H1N1 flu across the country on Monday, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Development.

The first phase of the massive inoculation will start in Altai Territory and regions of Moscow, Tyumen, Bryansk and Voronezh, for municipal service personnel involved in transportation, water and heat supplies, as well as communication.

The second phase will be initiated in late November for medical personnel and senior students from medical schools.

The last phase slated for next month will be aimed at patients of chronic diseases, women in pregnancy and children who have a higher risk of being infected with the virus.

According to the statement, Russia currently has developed four flu vaccines, all of which have been proved effective through clinical trials.

It said the Russian government has allocated 4 billion rubles (around 138 million U.S. dollars) to purchase the first batch of the vaccines.

Official figures from the ministry said as of Nov. 3, the death toll of the A/H1N1 flu had risen to 14 in Russia, and 3,122 A/H1N1flu cases had been confirmed.